IX. De ablutione pedum pauperum

IX. De ablutione pedum pauperum

Every Saturday, he was accustomed to wash the feet of the poor and elderly in a very private place, humbly and devoutly, on his knees, and after the washing, to dry and kiss their feet. Similarly, he would offer water with his own hands for washing, which he would kiss in the same manner, and afterward, he would give each one a certain sum of money and personally serve them food. However, if due to bodily weakness he could not perform these acts of charity, he wanted his confessor to carry them out in his place, with the Eleemosynary present, in the same manner. Moreover, it reflects the praise of his devoted humility that one Saturday, while he was at the abbey of Clairvaux, he wished to participate in the washing of the feet of the monks, which they call the Mandatum; namely, that according to the custom of the order, after Vespers, they would solemnly and devoutly wash each other's feet. He himself, out of his humility, often wished to take off his cape and, kneeling, to place his hands on the feet of the servants of God to wash them humbly. But because many nobles were standing around him, not very familiar with him, he refrained from this humble duty on the advice of others. From his remarkable humility, kindness, gentleness, and patience, many things could be said, and examples could be presented for the edification of many; but the present work might exceed the limits. For in these aforementioned virtues, I do not know if anyone in the world could match his status.